After Dark (Inactive)

Game Master rando1000

A modern urban arcana/horror game using Pathfinder rules


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Inactive

"Hey, I take offenze at that. I'm very clearly a higher being, so speak for yourselves."


Male Human (Polish Jew/Native American/Irish) Techie 7/Martial Artist 2

Having added up all the numbers...

The Pharoah sets the blade of his sword on the floor, and drops to one knee in front of the party.

"I yield!" he says, oozing molten blood from several wounds, the frostbite damage clearly evident as well. "Healer!"

A mephit scurries over and touches the pharoah, and his wounds quickly subside.

"You have defeated me in single combat. You have three wishes. You may use one of these to return your land back home...or, perhaps you wish to do something for yourselves, instead, now that the time comes?" he says, temptingly.


Inactive

Dave sheaths his blade, and looks upon the Pharoh. He dosn't waist much time considering the prospect of something other then what he set out to do. He does however contemplate the r8ght way to word his request, before finally declaring it. "I wish for you to, upon complete our third wish, to return us and our land back to where we belong, after which you will leave this world alone forever after."

After making his wish, he steps back to allow the other four to decide how to split the last two.

Dark Archive

Isagoras pauses, as if mentally studying Dave's wish, then nods, satisfied with its wording. Then he turns and mumbles to the group. "Do not say 'and' in thy request, lest he interpret it as two separate things.

So, too, henceforth, until we mean to say it, do not use the word the has four letters and begin with W I, lets he overhear and interpret it as the phrase in truth. Substitute, rather, with "would" or "request" or "desire" or somesuch, while we discuss intent of the two remaining w--erm, ah, requests.

What? The Order knows of w...request-granters, and to a letter they are tricksters all."


Male Human Occultist 7 | HP 64/66 | AC 22/T:14/FF:21 | Fort: +7 Ref: +3 Will: +6 | Per +10 | Init +1 | CMD 21 | Conjuration: 3/3, Divination: 3/3, Evocation 1/2, Transmutaion: 2/4

Pavel's face screws up in disgust as the offer is made, turning away from thr eftreet as it does. Nothing is given so easily. I want no part in asking favors from this thing, except for getting everyone home. Leave me out of the rest of it.


Gunner Magus 6/Gunslinger 1 | AC 20/T:16/FF:14 | F+8 R+6 W+5 | HP43/45 | Perc:+9 | Init: +3 | CMD: 16 | AP 8/10 | Grit 5/5 Human

Valda glanced at the others. "What would you guys say to 'the restoration of everyone harmed during there time in this realm?' Because I suspect some folks got hurt, between the heat and the, you know, dragon."


Female Human Witch 6 | 18/18 HP | Init: +1 | AC: 12 (Touch: 12 FF: 11) | Fort: +1 Ref +2 Will +4 Per +2

"That might work, but can we really be sure such a request can't be twisted? I also agree with Pavel, I want nothing other than the restoration of Arzata." Maria says.


Male Human (Polish Jew/Native American/Irish) Techie 7/Martial Artist 2

The Pharoah is starting to look a little concerned. "Can't decide from among all the wonders you might have? That's understandable. Great wealth, political power, love, I can provide any of those."

Looking over your sheets to find the best person for a roll...you guys are NOT sense-motive-y.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11


Inactive

"Be that as it may, Pharaoh, but as you already know I am a Lord and these people belong to my Royal Court. Wealth and power are things they possess in spades, and love is something earned rather then given. Besides," He says, taking a step back to observe his friends. "I've already made my wish."


Male Human (Polish Jew/Native American/Irish) Techie 7/Martial Artist 2

"You must make two others...You MUST!"

At this point, you begin to understand. The Pharoah is afraid. For some reason, he really wants to complete the deal, for his own benefit.


Female Human Witch 6 | 18/18 HP | Init: +1 | AC: 12 (Touch: 12 FF: 11) | Fort: +1 Ref +2 Will +4 Per +2

Maria raises an eyebrow, then says "Dime Faraón, ¿hablas español?"


Male Human (Polish Jew/Native American/Irish) Techie 7/Martial Artist 2

From his lack of response, you'd assume he does not.

Dark Archive

Isagoras' hound archons, given extra-long life due to his calling, also spin on the pharaoh.
"You keep a civil tongue in thy head, flamed one!"
"The great Eye of Propoket is still upon thee, and thy existence can be a gift as easily given as taken!"
"Those that are wise shall take rightful moment in good discourse, as is due!"
"So keep tongue behind teeth and pray we are not given sign to relinquish our inactivity!"

Isagoras himself nods in thanks at the angels and turn to the group. "Perhaps you are correct. W--desiring selfishly rarely comes to goodness. Why not also ask for the desert to be turned to grassland? Asking restoration of land, then people, will put us to even. And an environmental boon would make all well that 'twould end well."


Male Human (Polish Jew/Native American/Irish) Techie 7/Martial Artist 2

Some dice rolls to speed this along...

Know/Occult
Isagoras: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Pavel: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Dave: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Valda: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Maria: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

It is Pavel who comes to the realization first; in Genie Lore, a Djinn is beholden to his master until three wishes are fulfilled. If you do not make your other two wishes now, the "Pharoah" will have to leave his realm and travel with you to yours, waiting until you commit your other two wishes.

Having made your first wish, you can demand he perform it now; he'll be forced to follow you back, imprisoned in some object (like perhaps the artifact) until such time as you make your other two wishes, or someone else frees him.


Male Human Occultist 7 | HP 64/66 | AC 22/T:14/FF:21 | Fort: +7 Ref: +3 Will: +6 | Per +10 | Init +1 | CMD 21 | Conjuration: 3/3, Divination: 3/3, Evocation 1/2, Transmutaion: 2/4

Aaaaaah, I see... Pavel exclaims while turning back towards everyone, you NEED us to make these wishes, or you'll be trapped in a bottle until we do. Isn't that right, your highness? he taunts the pharaoh, an evil smirk working its way onto his face. You're completely at our mercy until we use the three wishes you so hastily offered to us.


Inactive

Dave looks at Pavel, then the others again. "Interesting, but that dosn't matter. Finalize those last two requests or I'll do it for you. Treating and restoring the people harmed by this event is a strong candidate, so why don't you work from there."

Dark Archive

Isagoras' eyebrows raise as high as anyone has ever seen them go as he realizes that Pavel is correct.

"Hmmmmm! Indeed! Indeed! Then I would suggest a different tact.
Let us make our one request, then give off. For any damage done, let us accept it as just price to maintain a safety barrier of TWO requests, to keep this rascal in check!

The Order has others both more powerful and more wise than myself. They would give much for such an opportunity to study this specimen, and to place him in such powerful wards as to keep him under wraps.

So long as we, here and now, all of us, take Oath to never again utter the "W" word, we should make good on our one and only w--request, and then return, knowing we are heroes of the realm."


Inactive

Dave shakes his head, "No, my first request already forbids him and denizens of this plane from interfeering with our world ever again. There's no point in antagonizing our host."


Male Human (Polish Jew/Native American/Irish) Techie 7/Martial Artist 2

The heroes find themselves back in the streets of Arzata. The "Pharoah" is now with them. The fires are out, and the sky is in a normal state of sunset. The temperature is rapidly cooling now that the sun is setting.

"There. Your land is restored. You got what you came for. Now set me free; do not bind me!"

Dark Archive

Isagoras cocks an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you so wise that you think your clever wording will outsmart one so old and experienced in the ways of meddling as this one? No one, not even the wisest of The Order, fully understand the magic that binds such magical bequests. Would you risk -all- on the chance that he can -never-, after all his years of granting such requests, be able to find loophole? If he twists thy words and subsumes some other city, or world, will you sleep any better knowing that you made good for some few dozen souls.

Nay, nay. Alas, we must needs cleave to the old trope: The good of the many does indeed outweigh the good of the few.

Or the one."


Inactive

"Could always use the last request to make sure he fulfills our previous ones to our intent, not his interpretation of our words. Or something like that."


Male Human Occultist 7 | HP 64/66 | AC 22/T:14/FF:21 | Fort: +7 Ref: +3 Will: +6 | Per +10 | Init +1 | CMD 21 | Conjuration: 3/3, Divination: 3/3, Evocation 1/2, Transmutaion: 2/4

Despite my earlier gloating, I don't think it would be the best idea to keep this... his hand spins as he thinks for the right word, ...demon anywhere on this earth. I agree with Dave, and say that we should take what we have and be happy with it.

He turns to watch the setting sun on the horizon he has started to become very familiar with. And besides, who knows what will happen to the multiverse if the plane of fire sputters out...

Dark Archive

Isagoras shakes his head. The weary long years of learning how to break the laws of physics and conjure a fighting force from aether stuff weighs heavily upon him, and each line earned by fighting forces unknown and unknowable stand out starkly.

"Alas, the angel-dogs have the right of it. We are, alas, but mortals. Our lifetimes are but eye-blinks to the true powers, and the knowledge we amass is but the barest glimpse into real power.

Any language we might craft, no matter how well-intended or iron-clad in our legalese, is as but a child's babbling to one who is literally IMMERSED in that which we can not even comprehend.

I know 'tis painful to see a mother lose a son, or a child his father, but no amount of grief for the now will be more than a shadow should one as this be left again to his own devices.

Alas, friend, if you have ever called me wise, heed me now. Return with me to the Order, and let High Father Joakim be called. He will forge such runes as to keep this devil held fast, and the countless -millions- that he might consume in the future will live and die unknowing of the evil that almost befell them.

The Order will look after those that suffered. Our resources are not inconsiderable. We owe them that much.

But think of the Big Picture."


Male Human Occultist 7 | HP 64/66 | AC 22/T:14/FF:21 | Fort: +7 Ref: +3 Will: +6 | Per +10 | Init +1 | CMD 21 | Conjuration: 3/3, Divination: 3/3, Evocation 1/2, Transmutaion: 2/4

I AM thinking of the big picture, lapdog of The Order, Pavel snaps at Izzy, turning only his eyes as he speaks, what would be the consequences if the plane of fire were to die? How would that affect the multiverse at large if an entire element no longer had its representative plane? Would the suns wink out of the sky? Would the hearts of worlds cease to burn? Would the ovens cease to cook to feed the masses? he finally turns to Isagoras, looking him directly in the eye. Tell me, oh great and mighty wizard, slave to The Order of the White Angel, what would happen?

Dark Archive

"Unthinking HERETIC!" Isagoras snaps at Pavel, rising to the challenge. "And who will you cast into their fires to feed your need for death? Will you willingly walk into the flames to salve thy concern for an issue you know nothing of? How many babes will you rip from mother's breast to cast into the eternal fires?

In your foolish megalomania, consider you how vulnerable this plane is?? Or how bountiful other planes are? There is a Plane of Earth, you know! The smallest portion of it would feed the Plane of Fire's needs for eternity! Or do you not know this, thy irrational hatred for The Order overriding any logical impulse?

Would! that the princes of Fire would come to us, asking for solutions! The planet Mercury burns WITHOUT gain! Think you it would be a fair enough substitute for the countless lives on this planet?

Confound man! If you can not see past thy own minuscule prejudice, then give off and let thy betters see to matter of import!"


Male Human Occultist 7 | HP 64/66 | AC 22/T:14/FF:21 | Fort: +7 Ref: +3 Will: +6 | Per +10 | Init +1 | CMD 21 | Conjuration: 3/3, Divination: 3/3, Evocation 1/2, Transmutaion: 2/4

I know VERY well that the smallest bit of a seperate plane would feed the fires, but they will be leaderless if their pharaoh is imprisoned! Pavel shouts back, his face reddening in anger, and how long until your order's wards fail? How long until this demon escapes and wreaks revenge on our decendents?!? he points at Dave to accentuate his point, Clearly they're not infallible, that THING escaped on its own, and it's not even sentient! If your order is so wise, have them draw up an iron contract that this THING can't weasle out of and keeps us safe rather than keeping a damned lunatic locked in the basement! You speak of prejudice while thinking you are above it all, but the throne you sit upon is crafted of your own prejudical arrogance, you sheep in god's clothes!


Inactive

Dave coughs lightly, turning towards the Pharaoh and speaking quieter. "This is going to take a moment. Ever have coffee before? I know a really nice mom and pop shop near here. 'Course, it's probably closed right now what with the perceived apocalypse everyone just went through."


Male Human (Polish Jew/Native American/Irish) Techie 7/Martial Artist 2
Pavel Dmitrovic wrote:
I AM thinking of the big picture, lapdog of The Order,
Isagoras the Light wrote:
"Unthinking HERETIC!"

Holy crap, can we avoid PVP in the last scene of the campaign? Pls?


Male Human Occultist 7 | HP 64/66 | AC 22/T:14/FF:21 | Fort: +7 Ref: +3 Will: +6 | Per +10 | Init +1 | CMD 21 | Conjuration: 3/3, Divination: 3/3, Evocation 1/2, Transmutaion: 2/4

Sorry, just having fun with the role-play, was kinda hoping this kinda verbal throwdown would happen :-P If I'm going to far, I can back off


Male Human (Polish Jew/Native American/Irish) Techie 7/Martial Artist 2
Pavel Dmitrovic wrote:
I can back off

Naw, it's good climax.


Female Human Witch 6 | 18/18 HP | Init: +1 | AC: 12 (Touch: 12 FF: 11) | Fort: +1 Ref +2 Will +4 Per +2

"So, what should we make our last two requests that he go to the Plane of Earth? I really don't know much about these things, I'm Catholic." Maria chimes in.

Dark Archive

Actually, I sort of assumed this party would fall to some PVP as we neared the end. Just kinda felt that way. ^_^

"Oh confound! .... What wards? Know this, for whatever power I wield, I am but a childe compared to the Council of Elders. Though I might not personally place such enchantments upon this beasts head, there are those that can!

Just to name the first to hand, a Geas could be placed upon him, so that our assurance that he will not interfere with the affairs of mortals goes beyond simple wording. Or, or," the wizard draws lines in the air, pantomiming a professor at the chalk board, complicated runes of formulae arcing in the air. "Or, or we, we could Contingency a type of Dimensional Anchor, or a Summons of an archon, so if he breaks his word we'll know, or, or...or we could Bind its Soul! Ah! Or a Stasis! Surely there must be one in the Order who knows the secret of a Temporal Stasis!....

...can you give us two days? Two days to study this quandray? Allow the Order at least time to put together an argument. Is not the chance to end an existential threat to the Earth worth maintaining our vigil for one seventh a fortnight?

If, by the end, you still feel compelled to set loose the fiend and press your luck that you have outsmarted an immortal...then so be it."


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Male Human (Polish Jew/Native American/Irish) Techie 7/Martial Artist 2

In the end, the Order is more than happy to imprison the Efreeti in the dagger and take it off your hands, another day in the life of a petty dictator abusing his power to gain more.

The government tries to put a spin on what happened, but thanks Stacey Know, and thousands of people like her, the world will not soon forget the bizarre happenings of Arzata, NM. And Dave was reunited with his brother, who was now the head of the entire ninja cartel.

And our heroes? Well, the treachery of the Cabal, an offshoot group of the Order that made this event happen, was far from the last mysterious threat to be faced in Arzata, New Mexico. The group stood ready, waiting until their skills would be needed again.

THE END

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